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Dog Scouts of America

EIN 38-3478408 · Saint Helen, MI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak29 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

Promote the human/canine bond

Income
$63,260
Spending
$59,174
Reserves
-37.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 48%
Highest pay
$4,255, founder

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 29 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 57% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $21,244 spent. Camp Program-Dog Scouts of America educates owners on topic relating to responsible dog ownership and the human/canine bond. It offers leadership training and increases the level of training at both ends of the leash. DSA runs camps each summer as well as additional training opportunities during two weekend camps in the fall. In 2024, 32 participants with their dogs attended summer camp where 108 badges were awarded. In 2024 DSA added a fall intensive training weekend program.
  2. $1,271 spent. Recognition Program-DSA's badge and its competition/titling programs both encourage participants to get more involved with their dogs and within their communities. The badges and titles are earned when both human and dog demonstrate an understanding of the criteria for the badge. At this time here are more than 100 badges that can be earned as well as a number of titles with new badges being added each year. Each badge/title encourages interaction and continued learning on both ends of the leash as well as community interaction. The programs decrease the likelihood that a dog will be discarded at a shelter. In addition, DSA's certification program fosters troop development and trains leaders so that the DSA mission and activities can be shared on a local level all across the US and abroad.
  3. $958 spent. Education Outreach - DSA's website contains free information for the general public about how to be a responsible dog owner and improve the relationship between owners and their dogs. Dog Scout members do everything with reward-based training. The website provides information so owners can add clicker training, operant conditioning, and shaping to the dog training "toolbox". These tools can be used to reach dogs everything from basis manners to specialized training! Our goal is to help every dog owner value his canine companion even more and deepen the bond the owners has with his dog. With millions of dogs discarded each year, mostly due to behavioral problems or other poor excuses, we help fill the information void. We help dog owners become responsible and answer their problems.In 2024 DSA reached out to participants across the U.S. and internationally by conducting two virtual training camps.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2008.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.